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No. 626,586. Patented June 6, 1899.

. s. BALbwm & c: cnAsTl'N.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATUB.

(Application med nec. 4, 1897.) l

'(Nn'Mqdal.) 5 Sheetsf-Sheet l.

c a e CZ Z 6 Ca C a/ C6' C5 me nongls Pczns cu, wmamno.. wAsHlncToN, n4 c.

Patented lune 6, |899. G. BALDWIN & C. CBASTIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application led Dec. 4, 1897.)

5 Sheets-Sheet 2.

{No Model.)

1 1 lllnl No. 626,586. Patentd lune S, |899. G.. BALDWIN C. CRASTIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATUB.

(Application led Dee. 1897.) 5 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

mr Ncnms PETERS co, momma WAN-"Nauw4 n. n.

Patented lune 6, |899.

G. BALDWIN &. C. CBASTIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATDR.

(Application led Dec. 4, 1897.)

5 Sheets-$heet 4.

(No Model.)

mi Nanms Penas co. Pnoaumc.. WASHINGTON. u. c.

No. 526,586. Patented June 6, |899.

G. BALDWIN & C. CRASTIN. ACEITYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application filed Dec. 4, 1897.)

5 Shets-.Sheet 5.

No Modei.)

TN: ohms verras oa. vna'ruurno.. wnsmucrmn. n. c.

Nrrnn STATES `PATENT trice.

ACETYLENE-GAS GEN ERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 626,586, dated June 6, 1899. Y Appligation filed December 4,1897. Serial No. 660,799. (No model.)

' gas, and has for its chief object to automaticall y supply water to the calciu m carbid when the pressure of the gas within the storagetank or holder falls below a given point, to cut o'if such supply when the gas-pressure rises above a given point, and upon a further rise of the gas-pressure, caused by a reduction or cessation of the consumption of gas,

to at once discharge all free water from contact with the carbid, permitting the latter to dry, and thereby causing the generation of gas to cease.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus for the manufacture of acetylenegas constructed according to the present invention. Fig. 1'LI is a detail view of the relief-valve. Fig. 2 is a plan thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section thereof, taken on the line 1 l of Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 3,

'showing more particularly7 the shape of the spindle of the automatic water-valve. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the water-tank and some adjacent part-s, separately illustrating more particularly the alarm for indicating when a charge of calcium carbid is exhausted.l

Fig. 7 is a detail view of part thereof. Fig. 8 is a vertical section of one of the pots or baskets for containing the calcium carbid, but with the tray removed. Fig. 9 is a plan thereof. Fig. 1U is asimilar view of the tray. Fig. 11 is a plan thereof. Fig. 12 is a Vertical section of the sight-feed regulator that it is preferred to elnploy for controlling the flow of water to the calcium carbid, and Fig. 13 is a similar View taken at right angles to Fig. 12.

In the several figures, in which like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference, Figs. 5, 7, 12, and 13 are drawn to an increased scale with respect to the other figures of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. l to 1i, a represents a closed water-tank and gas-holder which is provided with a manhole and cover a for cleaning and repairing purposes and fitted with a drainage-cock d2, and b represents an open-topped displacement-cistern, which is located at a suitable elevation above the tank a and communicates with such tank by means of a vertical pipe h', extending nearly to the bottom of the tank a, and c c* represent two gas-generators, one of whichis arranged upon each side of the tank or gas-holder a'.

Inasmuch as the generator ci is a duplicate of that c, reference will, as far as is practicable, only be made to the generator c.

Within the generator c is provided a loose pot or basket d, which is perforated at d d2 for the purposes hereinafter described, and the basket d, which is provided with a handle dik, is adapted to be withdrawn at the times desired to receive the charge of calcium carbid and then replaced in position in the generator, and in order that the residue from the carbid may be readily removed from the pot or basket d the latter is provided with a perforated tray (Z3, furnished with handles (Z4, by the aid of which it may be readily lifted ont of the pot d at the times desired.

In practice two pots or baskets d would be employed in connection with each generator, so that a clean dry pot would always be at handv in readiness to receive a fresh charge of carbid.

The generator c is preferably arranged in an inclined position, as shown, in order that the contents may drain down to a point from which a pipe c2 leads through a mud box or trap c3, adapted to collect any residual carbid which may escape from the pot d,and the outlet from which is controlled by a cock c4, while the inclined arrangement of the generator also gives a better lead for the water IOC) fed to the carbid, as hereinafter described,

with the disk c', -so that the thickened edge.

or rim of the rubber disk e2 will be forced against and caused to embrace or surround an annular rib' or projection c', provided around the inside of the generator at the mouth thereof, and in order to protect or insulate the stopper from the heat generated by the carbid the under side of the stopper is covered or packed with a suitable thickness e5, of asbestos or other non-conducting material.

In order to prevent the generator c becoming unduly heated, it is surrounded by a water-jacket c5, the lower' part of which is by a pipe c6 placed in communication with the water in the tank ct, while the upper part of the water-jacket is similarly by a pipe c7 placed in communication with the displacement-cistern b, and thus-the water in the jacket c5 is more 'or less circulated or changed by the varying level of the water hereinafter referred to. v

The lower part of the generator c is placed in communication with the water in the tank a by means of a pipe 0%, which at one end connects with the pipe c2 and at the other end opens into the tank a, Where it is filled with a non-return valve 02%, so that-while water may be forced from the generator into the tank it cannot pass by that way from the tank a into the generator.-

The water necessary to moisten the charge of. carbid within the pot or basket d issues from the nozzle f of a feed-regulator, which enters the upper part of the generator c in a f convenient position for the water issuing 4 therefrom to filter through the perforations d of the pot or basket d, and thus reach the carbid in a subdivided form, and this feed is controlled by a screw-down valvef, so that the same may be approximately regulatedi according to the number of lights in use and Athe volume of gas required to be geuerated= within a given time.

The feed-nozzle fis connected by a pipe f2,

d'escendingnearly to the bottom of the watertank or gas-holder a, with a vertical pipe f3,

located within the tank a, so that the Water within the tank or gas-holder a, when above the level of the upper arm f2* of the pipe f2, connected with `the feed-nozzlef, and in the Vabsence of any controlling-valve, will iow by Way of the pipes f2 f3 to the nozzle f, and thus to the carbid. a

The upper part of the generator c is by pipes g g' placed in communication with the upper part of the water and gas storage tank a, and the gas required for consumption by the burners is taken off through the supply-cock h, and thus as gas is generated it passes into the tank a, and unless it is taken off by the supply-cock h in equal volume a pressure is created within the tank a.

In order to automatically regulate the sup; ply of water to the carbid, and consequently the volume of gas generated according to the consumption thereof, the following arrangement of parts is employed: The displacement-cistern b is, as hereinbefore described, placed in communication with the lower part of the tank a by means of a vertical pipe b, so that as the volume and pressure of gas within the upper part of the tank (t increase the water within such tank ais gradually forced by way of the pipe b into the displacement-cis tern b and would upon displacing the water in the tank a below the level of the upper arm f2* of the water-supply pipe f2, connected with the feed-nozzle j', cause the iiow of water through the nozzle f to the carbid to cease. In order, however, to render the apparatus more perfect in its action, the pipe f3 is provided with a valve f4, the spindle of which is of suitable section, such as that represented at Fig. 5, to allow of the passage of the water, and this valve f4 is by a chain f5 or other iiexible connection attached to a float f6, which is provided with eyes or rings fm, working on vertical guide-rods f7, furnished with collars or stops at f7* to limit the downward traverse of the-ioat f6, so that the position of the valve f4 will vary with the water-level, and when the water in the tank a descends below a given point the valve f4 will seat itself upon the upper end of and close the pipefs, thus imprisoning the water already in the pipe f2, and if the valve f4 be arranged to act before the water falls below the upper arm f2* of the'pipe f2 cutting o the supply of Water to the generator c. The carbid is, however, more or less saturated with moisture and will therefore continue for a short time to generate gas, and in order to deprive the carbid of free moisture the following device is employed:

The pipes g g' are connected by a valve-box g2, in which works avalve g3, which seats upon the upper part of the tube g', and this valve g3 is furnished with a rod g4, which normally rests upon the top of the oat f6, so that when the pressure of the gas within the tank a is insufficient to displace the water below a given level the valve g3 will be held open and gas will be freely admitted `to the tank ct, and thus the greater part of the gas generated after the water-supply to the carbid ceases will pass to the tank a, by the pipes g g'. When,

however, owing to the displacement of Water from the tank a the float f6 descends farther than is actually necessary to close the valve f4, such further descent will permit the gasvalve g3 to close upon its seat, thereby cutting IOO IOS

Ito`

oft the supply of gas to the tank a, and` any further gas generated within the generator c, being unable to escape by any other channel,

. will force its way into the tank a through the pipes c2 c2* and nonreturn valve om, which in practice should be lighter than the Valve f4, carrying before it any free water which may be within the generator, and thus substantially arresting` the generation of the `gas, while should a small volume of gas be further generated by the moisture contained in the carbid it will simply find its way in the same manner into the tank a and serve to supplement the store of gas and possibly further slightly displace the water therein. The gas, which it is assumed continues to be taken oftl at the supply-cock h, is gradually consumed, thus reducing the pressure within the tank aand permitting the water to return from the displacement-tank b until in the rise of the float f the gas-valve g3 and the waterwalve f4 are opened, when the water rising above the upper arm f2* of the watersupply pipe f2 will again iiow through the pipes fzf to the feednozzle f, and the above operation will be repeated.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that the iiow of water to the carbid will cease when the water in the tank a falls to or below the level of the upper arm f2* of the pipe f2 and that the water-valve fA1 may be arranged to close the pipe f3 either before, after, or at the same time that the water falls to such level or thereabout.

In starting the apparatus the tank a is completely filled with water through the servicepipe b2 and ball-valve h3, which empties into the cistern h, from which the water passes by the pipe Z2 to the tank a, and the water is by such valve afterward maintained at that minimum level in the displacement-cistern b, and consequently in the absence of gas-pressure rises to a corresponding level in the titting 7L of the gas-valve h, and there might therefore be a tendency for a small quantity Y of water to 'lodge in the way through the valve-fitting h', which connects with the upper part of the tank a; but in order to obviate this difficulty such way is by a pipe h2 placed in communication with the pipe g', and thus the pressure being equalized there is no tendency for water to remain lodged in these ways.

The air displaced by the water upon the first filling of the tank a is when the valve g3 is lifted by the air or by hand allowed to escape by an outlet from the valve-box (2, normally closed by a screw-plug gsi, and the air displaced by the gas in the generator c is similarly allowed to escape by a spring inwardly-opening relief-valve gi in the pipe Q.

The spring relief or snifting valve gi also has for its object to prevent bythe cooling of the generator c the formation within the same of a vacuum of any intensity should the regulating gas and water valves f* and g* be closed before the charge of carbid is exhausted and which Vacuum would prevent the water being drained from the generator or would hinder or prevent the removal of the stopper or co-Ver c and would be otherwise objectionable.

The gas drawn off at the supply-cock h is conducted by a pipe h3 into a puriiier or dryingchamber h4, lilled with lime or other suitable material, whence it passes away by the service-pipe h5 to the burners, and in order to prevent any free moisture passing by the pipe h3 into the purifier a trap 7L is interposed between the pipe h3 and the purifier h4 and fitted with a draw-off cock 7&7.

The general level of the water, and consequently of the gas, within the tank a is indicated by means of a gage t', which by its lower end is placed in communication with the water in the tank and by its upper end in com- 1n unication through the fitting 7L' of the valve 7i with the gas in the upper part of the tank a.

By the arrangement of parts hereinbefore described if the valve f4 is timed to close when the water in the tank a is below the upper arm f2* of the supply-pipe f2 then the water-supply will be out off simply by the water falling below said arm fw,- but if said valve f4 is arranged to cut off when the water in the tank is above said arm fZic then the valve f4 will entirely govern said supply, and it will be understood that the volume of gas stored in the tank a is dependent upon the volume of Water supplie'd to the carbid in the generator c, and these parts may be so adjusted that the volume of stored gas is exceedinglysmall and the pressure thereof under normal conditions does not exceed that of a six-inch column of water, or thereabout.

Itis desirable to give an audible indication when the charge of carbid requires to be renewed, and which condition, by the absence of gas-pressure, permits the water within the tank a to rise above the normal working. level, and for this purpose and as indicated more particularly at Figs. G and 7 a pipe is employed, which is at both ends open to the interior of the tank a, and this pipe at a given point is fitted with a terminal j', insulated from the pipe j and provided with a projection or con tact-maker jz, which enters the pipe j, but without contact therewith, and the terminal j' is by a conductor jg iitted with a switch jii, placed in communication with an electric battery jl of any suitable construction, which is by a cond uctorj' placed in communication with a terminaljl,electrically connected with the lower part of the tank a, while a bellj is placed 'in the electric circuit, and thus upon the reduction of the gas-pres- IOO sure and the consequent rise of the water in the tank a to a given level-namely, that of the projection or contactj2 ofthe terminalithe circuit will be completed by the water and the bell will give an audible indication that the supply of carbid is exhausted.

The pipe f2, supplying Water to the carbid, and the pipe g', supplying gas to the tank a,

are respectively provided with cutoff or regulating valves f 9*, and these valves are adapted to be operated by means of levers fi gk, which are coupled by a bar g*2, which also couples them with the corresponding levers of the generator 0*, and these valves f* g* are so arranged that in the vertical position'of thev lever1 g* the whole of the valves f* g* in both generators will be closed, while in the position of the lever gi" (indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3) the valves of the generator c will'be opened and those of the generator c* will be closed, while in the other extreme position of the lever 9* the valves j* g* of the generator c willbe closed and the corresponding valves of the generator c* will be opened, and thus up'on the carbid-supply in one of the generators becoming exhausted, which would be indicated by the alarm-bell js, the position of the lever 9* may be reversed, thus throwing the other generator into action and enabling that thrown out of action to be recharged.

In the example given at Figs. l2 and 13 is shown the feedregulatiug device that it is preferred to employ for supplying water to the carbid in the generator, and which consists of a screw-down valve f', from which the Water passes through a spout f'i, projecting into-a chamber formed by a cylinder of glass fla,

made gas .and water tight in a suitable frame or holder and terminating in a spout or nozzle j", which delivers the water into the generator, as hereinbefore described. This device C possesses the advantage that the stream of; water passing the cock f can be seen, and therefore more readily regulated than when an ordinary cock or valve admitting water di.- I

rectly to the spout or nozzle f is employed.

` The generators c c* are hereinbefore shown 4 and described as attached to the tank a; but 1 it will be understood that they might be sep- 3 arate therefrom and placed at a distance in any other suitable position and that vanumber or battery of generators mightbe coupled with a single Water-tank.

Although the action of the various parts of l the apparatus is hereinbefore separately de l scribed, Wewill for the sake of clearness now l proceed to describe the operation of the apparatus as a whole.

All the regulating cocks or valves f and gie yare turned oif by placing the lever g*l in a vertical position. The supply-cock h is closed, and water is admitted by the ball-valve b8 to `j the displacement-cistern b and flows by the pipe binto the tank a and continues to flow g until the ball-valve b3,'by the rise-of the Water in the displacement-cistern b, is closed, and f during this iilling operation the screw-stopper g3* of the valve-box g2 is removed, and the valve g8 is lifted by the air or by hand in order to allow the contained air to escape from the tank a, after which the screW-stopperg3* 1 is replaced.

The feed-water regulators f are approxi-l mately adjusted to supply the required vol- 'urne of Water to the carbid, and charges of calcium carbid are placed in the pots or baskets d, which should be perfectly clean and dry. generators c 0*, and the covers or Stoppers e are inserted and screwed up. The lever 9* is then pulled over to the right, thus opening the water and gas cocks or valves f* and g* and putting the generator c in action, and at the same time the snifting or relief valve g5 is opened to allow the contained air to escape from the generator c, after which it is closed and the gas generated passes by the pipes g g to the tank a and may be taken off through the supply-cock h to the burners.

So long as the gas is consumedin volume equal to that in which it is generated water will iiow by the pipes f3f2 and feed-regulator f into the generator c; but upon the consumption ofgas lessening or ceasing the volume of gas within the tank a will increase, thus displacing some of the Water and forcing it into the displacement-tank Z), when upon the water in the tank et falling below the level of the upper arm f2* of the supplypipe f2 it will cease to iiow to the carbid, and at about the same time by the descent of the float f6 the Water-valve f4 will close the end of the Water-supply pipe j', orif the lioat-valve f4 be timed to close before the water falls below the upper arm f2* of the pipe f2 it will cut off the supply of water to the carbid. By

reason of the wet condition of the carbid the generation of gas continues, and the level of the water in the tank a is still further lowered, so that the gas-valve g3 cuts oif the supply of gas from the generator c to the tank a, whereupon the gas further generated forces out any free water through the pipe c2* and non-return valve 0%* into the tank a, while the small quantity of gas still further generated by reason' of the damp state of the carbid passes by the same channel into the water-tank a. The generation of gas now practically ceases until by the consumption of that which is stored in the tank a water is permitted to flow from the displacementcistern b into the water-tank a, when the float f6 will rst open the gas-valve g3 and then the water-valve f4, and the above-described operations will be repeated until the charge of carbid is exhausted and the bell j sounds an alarm, when by turning the lever g* to its opposite extreme position the generator cwill be thrown out of action and that ci will be put in action.

In practice when the supply of water to the carbid and consequent generation of gas IOS IIO

is properly adjusted to the consumption thereof the variation of the water-level in the tank a is but trifling.

The water-valvef4 may, if desired, be dispensed with, while retaining the float f6 and gas-valve g3, while where only the simple regulation of the water-supply to the carbid is required both of the float-actuated valvesf4 and g3 and the water-pipe c2* may be dispensed with; but such modified arrangements would not be so perfect in their action as the complete apparatus hereinbefore shown and described.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, We declare that what we claim isl. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a combined water-tank and gas-holder, a gasgenerator, a displacement-cistern placed at a suitable elevation and connected with the lower part of the water-tank, a water-pipe rising vertically therein, and by a branch rising from the lower part ot' said vertical pipe connecting the water-tank with the upper part of the generator to supply water to the carbid, a gas-pipe connecting the upper part of the generator with the upper part of the water-tank to conduct the gas into the latter and suitable valves controlled by a iioat within the water-tank for closing the pipe supplying Water to the carbid and the pipe supplying gas to the water-tank and a watenpipe fitted with a non-return valve connecting the lower part of the generator with the lower part of the water-tank for the passage of free water driven out of the generator by the gas and of any further gas generated after the closing of the said gas and water valves substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.

2. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a combined water-tank and gas-holder, a generator, a dsplacenientcistern placed at a suitable elevation and connected with the lower part of the Water-tank, a waterpipe rising vertically in the Water-tank and by a branch rising from the lower part of the vertical pipe connecting the water-tank with the upper part of the generator to supply water to the carbid, a gas-pipe connecting the upper part of the generator with the upper part of the tank to conduct the gas into the latter,

a float within the water-tank, a valve actuated by the float for closing the gas-supply pipe from the generator and a water-pipe fitted with a non-return valve connecting the lower part of the generator with the Waitertank substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.

3. An acetylenegas apparatus comprising a combined watentank and gas-holder, a displacement-cistern connected at its lower part with the lower part of the water-tank, a gasgenerator, a water-pipe connecting the Water-tank with the upper part of the generator, a gas-pipe connecting the upper part of the generator With the upper part of the water-tank, a float within the water-tank, avalve attached to the float by a flexible connection for closing the Water-supply pipe to the generator, a valve provided with a rod normally resting upon the float for closing the gas-supply pipe from the generator to the Water-tank and a water-pipe fitted with a non-return valve connecting the lower part of the generator with the water-tank substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.

4. An acetylene-gas apparatus comprising a water-tank, a displacement-cistern, two generators, a single set of float-actuated valves for cutting off the water-su pply to the generators and the gas-supply from the generators to the water-tank, and suitable cocks controlling the said Water and gas supply pipes coupled in such manner that when one generator is in action the other is thrown out of action, while both may be thrown out of action; substantially as herein shown and described and for the purpose stated.

GEORGE. BALDVIN. CORNELIUS ORASTIN.

Witnesses:

C. MELBOURNE WHITE, C. H. VHITE. 

